I-9 Classic Hubs & XT Cassette Problem

Well, I picked up my long-awaited new wheels from the local shop last night. I had them build up a set with I-9 "Classic" hubs, conventional "J" spokes, and Mavic 819s.

Got them home, put my rotors on first. So far, so good. Went to put my XT cassette on, not so good...

The little "rods" or "dowels" that appear to secure the largest sprocket to the cassette body interfere with the spokes. It's almost as if I need a spacer between the cassette and the hub, but then I fear the lock ring will not be satisfactorily engaged with the hub.

Am I doing something wrong, were my wheels (perhaps) built incorrectly, or is there simply a compatibility problem with XT cassettes?

I'd sure appreciate any advice you good folks could offer in short order, I've got riding to do!

That sucks. If your cassette is normal (not a misfit), it definitely sounds like a hub geometry issue, to which the answer is going to be a spacer, unless you have a flawed hub. I'm not familiar with I9 hubs, so I don't know if they're designed to be run with spacers. Both of my mountain bikes have the better part of a centimeter between the XTR cassette studs and the leading spokes. Even if you are able to move the cassette out with spacers to clear the studs, it's unlikely that you'll be able to move it out far enough to clear the chain when it's in the largest cog and still have enough engagement for the lockring, again, unless that's how it was designed. Take pictures and post up. Picutres of both sides of the installed cassette will help. I'd also call I9 (828.210.5113) and get their input. They may want to see pictures as well.
Post up those pics and I (or somebody) may be able to help you out.
Good luck.

Are there 2 rivets on each spider arm and one rivet has a taller head? If so, grind it down if it looks like it'll give you enough room. I think they're there to help keep the chain from dropping down into the spokes if there's an over shift.

I had the same problem with an XT 32t cassette & a King ISO Disc hub. Worked fine laced to 26" rims, but when I had them relaced to 29" rims, the spoke angle change caused the back of the cassette to hit the spokes. I grinded the back of the cassette spider & rivets a little and the problem was solved.

Yup, noticed the new "chain drop pins" when I recieved a new XT cassette from a friend to install for him, figured it might present some problems on some hubs. Most especially i think it'll cause trouble to those using them as 6 or 7 spd cassettes on SS hubs like myself - have an old one now machined off to use 7 cogs, when that dies we'll see if I stick with the XT or not.

Originally Posted by CJLED

I had the same combo and the same proble, but it was easily fixed. I filed down the protruding 'rods' until they cleared the spokes. The spacer prevent the lock ring from fitting properly.